Plot Synopsis

LBJ: TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY is a four-part documentary series that explores the life of one of the most consequential and enigmatic presidents in American history: Lyndon Baines Johnson. As a master of the political process, he is responsible for passing some of the most significant pieces of legislation in modern history. But while he was reshaping the social fabric of America, he was simultaneously escalating a war that would rip the country apart at the seams. Weaving together dramatic first-hand accounts from the last surviving members of LBJ's inner circle, never-before-broadcast archival material and LBJ's own voice from secretly recorded audio tapes, Emmy Award-winning director Pat Kondelis crafts an intimate portrait of a larger-than-life figure, who left behind a complicated and polarizing legacy. LBJ: TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY premiered from 9-11pm ET/PT on two consecutive nights during Presidents' Day Weekend: Sunday, February 20 and Monday, February 21, 2022:

"Part 1: The Accidental President" (Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 9pm): After Lyndon B. Johnson becomes the 36th President of the United States during a national tragedy, he immediately uses the office to pass the most significant civil rights legislation in nearly a century.

"Part 2: The Great Society" (Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 10pm): Emboldened by his stunning election victory, LBJ seizes the moment to pursue the "Great Society," with civil rights struggles in Selma offering a unique opportunity to push his domestic policies forward.

"Part 3: Under the Gun" (Monday, February 21, 2022 at 9pm): Racing against the clock, LBJ pushes through the most productive legislative session in history, but he can't outrun the deepening conflict in Vietnam.

"Part 4: Final Days" (Monday, February 21, 2022 at 10pm): LBJ makes an announcement that stuns the nation, hoping that peace in Vietnam is within reach. But when his efforts are stopped by a political rival, he retires still haunted by a war that will complicate his legacy.